Method and apparatus for the distribution of liquid-vapor mixture

Abstract

An apparatus for distributing a liquid-vapor mixture into two or more separate streams or paths involving a hollow vessel having a fluid inlet means; at least two pipe means each of which have one end extending into the vessel, each pipe means being in fluid communication with a different pass of a heat-exchanger system having at least two passes, each pipe means providing a different path for liquid-vapor flow from the hollow vessel; at least one aperture in that part of each of the pipe means extending into the vessel and restrictive means located in the vessel to restrict fluid flow directly into the top openings of the pipe means. In an additional embodiment, each of the pipe means is in fluid communication with a different chemical reaction zone. Improved methods of distributing a liquid-vapor mixture are also disclosed.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
       1. A method for distributing a mass of fluid comprising a liquid-vapor mixture into at least two (2) separate streams which comprises: A. providing an apparatus comprising: 1. a hollow vessel having at least one fluid inlet means;   2. at least two hollow distributor pipe means each having a top opening located at a first end of said pipe means which extends into said vessel, each of said pipe means providing outlet means from said vessel for a different portion of said fluid, provided that said fluid inlet means is located at a level above said top openings of said pipe means;   3. at least one aperture located in that part of each said pipe means extending into said vessel below said first end of said pipe means to provide fluid communication between the interior of said vessel and the hollow space of said pipe means; and     4. restrictive means located within said hollow vessel at a level above the top openings of said pipe means to restrict the flow of fluid from said fluid inlet means directly into the hollow space of said pipe means through the top openings of said pipe means; and     B. causing said fluid to enter said vessel through said fluid inlet means and forming a liquid level up to at least the level of said aperture whereby at least a major portion of said liquid enters said pipe means through said aperture.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1 wherein said apparatus further comprises plate means located above said top openings of said pipe means to further restrict the flow of fluid directly into said top openings of said pipe means. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 1 wherein said fluid inlet means is located at a level above said top openings of said pipe means. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim 3 wherein said fluid inlet means is located at a level above said restrictive means. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim 4 wherein said restrictive means is located at a level between said top openings of said pipe means and said fluid inlet means. 
     
     
       6. The method of claim 5 wherein each said pipe means has from 1 to about 20 apertures located therein. 
     
     
       7. The method of claim 5 wherein said apparatus further comprises plate means located between said top openings of said pipe means and said restrictive means to further restrict the flow of fluid directly into said top openings of said pipe means. 
     
     
       8. The method of claim 7 wherein said pipe means are at least about 4 in number, and said plate means comprises a perforated tray supported above the top openings of said pipe means, said perforated tray containing at least one perforation therethrough. 
     
     
       9. A distribution apparatus for distributing a mass of fluid comprising a liquid-vapor mixture into at least two separate streams each of which flows to a different chemical reaction zone which comprises: 1. a hollow vessel having at least one fluid inlet means   
     
     
       2. at least two hollow distributor pipe means each having a top opening located at a first end of said pipe means which extends into said vessel, each of said pipe means providing outlet means from said vessel for a different portion of said fluid each of said pipe means being in fluid communication with a different chemical reaction zone; 3. at least one aperture located in that part of each said pipe means extending into said vessel below said first end of said pipe means to provide fluid communication between the interior of said vessel and the hollow space of said pipe means; and   4. restrictive means located at a level above the top openings of said pipe means to restrict the flow of fluid from said fluid inlet means directly into the hollow space of said pipe means through the top openings of said pipe means.   
     
     
       10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said pipe means are at least about 4 in number, and said plate means comprises a perforated tray supported above the top openings of said pipe means, said perforated tray containing at least one perforation therethrough. 
     
     
       11. A method for distributing a mass of fluid comprising a liquid-vapor mixture through a heat exchanger having at least four passes comprising: 1. providing said heat exchanger with the apparatus of claim 10; and   2. causing said fluid to enter said vessel through said fluid inlet means and forming a liquid level above the level of said aperture whereby at least a major portion of said liquid enters said pipe means through said aperture.   
     
     
       12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said fluid inlet means is located at a lever above said top openings of said pipe means. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said fluid inlet means is located at a level above said restrictive means. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said restrictive means is located at a level between said top openings of said pipe means and said fluid inlet means. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein each said pipe means has from 1 to about 20 apertures located therein, and the cross-sectional area of said top opening of each said pipe means is of substantially the same size and is at substantially the same horizontal level. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of claim 15 which further comprises plate means located between said top openings of said pipe means and said restrictive means to further restrict the flow of fluid directly into said top openings of said pipe means. 
     
     
       17. A method for distributing a mass of fluid comprising a liquid-vapor mixture to a plurality of chemical reaction zones comprising: 1. providing a plurality of chemical reaction zones with the apparatus of claim 15; and   
     
     
       2. causing said fluid to enter said vessel through said fluid inlet means and forming a liquid level up to at least the level of said aperture whereby at least a major portion of said liquid enters said pipe means through said aperture. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of claim 9 which further comprises plate means located above said top openings of said pipe means to further restrict the flow of fluid directly into said top openings of said pipe means. 
     
     
       19. A method for distributing a mass of fluid comprising a liquid-vapor mixture to a plurality of chemical reaction zones comprising: 1. providing a plurality of chemical reaction zones with the apparatus of claim 18; and   2. causing said fluid to enter said vessel through said fluid inlet means and forming a liquid level up to at least the level of said aperture whereby at least a major portion of said liquid enters said pipe means through said aperture.   
     
     
       20. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said pipe means are at least about 4 in number, and said plate means comprises a perforated tray supported above the top openings of said pipe means, said perforated tray containing at least one perforation therethrough. 
     
     
       21. A method for distributing a mass of fluid comprising a liquid-vapor mixture to a plurality of chemical reaction zones comprising: 1. providing a plurality of chemical reaction zones with the apparatus of claim 20; and   2. causing said fluid to enter said vessel through said fluid inlet means and forming a liquid level up to at least the level of said aperture whereby at least a major portion of said liquid enters said pipe means through said aperture.   
     
     
       22. A method for distributing a mass of fluid comprising a liquid-vapor mixture to a plurality of chemical reaction zones comprising: 1. providing a plurality of chemical reaction zones with the apparatus of claim 9; and 2. causing said fluid to enter said vessel through said fluid inlet means and forming a liquid level up to at least the level of said aperture whereby at least a major portion of said liquid enters said pipe means through said aperture.